Final Rulemaking Package for CARB Truck & Bus Regulation

Posting of the Final Rulemaking Package for the In-Use On-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation (Truck and Bus Regulation).

The ARB Staff has posted the Final Rulemaking Package for the In-Use On-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation (Truck and Bus Regulation). The package was filed with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on October 23, 2009, and OAL has until December 9, 2009, to make a determination. The package includes the Final Statement of Reasons which includes ARB's responses to all comments received on the regulation during the public comment periods. The package for the amendments to the existing regulations was filed with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on October 19, 2009, and OAL has until December 3, 2009, to make a determination. Click here for the Final Rulemaking Package.

International Day of Climate Action

Tomorrow - Saturday, October 24th is the International Day of Climate Action sponsored by 350.org. According to the non-profit organization, there will be over 4,000 events taking place simultaneously in over 175 countries bringing awareness to the problem of global warming. A few highlights are:

- In Cambodia, citizens from across the country will gather at the famous Angkor Wat to take a giant 350 action photo.

- In Hungary, hundreds of bathers will jump into the public baths in Budapest and do a 350 synchronized swimming performance.

- In Nepal, over a thousand young people and monks will march to the Swayambhunath world heritage site temple where they will form a large 350 with traditional lanterns.

- In the United States, 350 people will dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller in Seattle -- because if we don't stop global warming, we might as well be undead.

- In Panama, indigenous youth will lead a moonlight vigil in Kuna Yala, their vulnerable low-lying islands off the coast of Panama, forming a 350 at sunrise.

To learn more about 360.org, their mission or find an event near you go to: http://www.350.org/.

Benefits of the Diesel Emission Reduction Program

The EPA reports that the Clean Diesel Program has purchased or retrofitted with emissions control products 14,000 diesel vehicles and pieces of equipment over the past year. This resulted in the following benefits:

- reducing 46,000 tons of NOx over the lifetime of the diesel engines
- reducing 2,200 tons of particulate matter over the lifetime of the diesel engines
- conserving 3.2 million gallons of fuel annually, saving operators $8 million annually
- generated public health benefits between $500 million to $1.4 billion

For more information on clean diesel grants and funding go to: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/grantfund.htm
SmartWay program: http://www.epa.gov/smartway

EPA: 31 Areas Violate 24-Hour Fine Particle Standards

Thirty-one areas across the country have been designated as not meeting the EPA's standards for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). The final designation was based on previous air quality data used to identify nonattainment zones.

Using the 2006 to 2008 data, 91 U.S. counties that were identified as nonattainment in December 2008 are now meeting the standards. The new data also showed that four new counties in three states are violating the daily PM 2.5 standards, the annual PM 2.5 standards, or both. EPA will work with these four counties to evaluate air monitoring data and other factors to make final designations by early 2010.

Nonattainment areas include counties with monitors showing violations of the standards and the nearby areas that also contribute to that violation. Affected states and tribes will be required to take steps to reduce the pollution that forms fine particles. The majority of U.S. counties and tribal lands are meeting these standards, but will need to continue working to maintain clean air.

In 2006, EPA strengthened the 24-hour fine particle standards from 65 micrograms per cubic meter to 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air to protect public health. Nationwide, monitored levels of fine particle pollution fell 19 percent from 2000 to 2008. Fine particles can either be emitted directly from power plants, factories, and motor vehicles, particularly diesel trucks and buses, or they can form in the atmosphere from reactions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Click here to view Final Designation Comparison for 24-Hour Fine Particle (PM 2.5) Standards

From CARB: Truckin' News Q & A

The California Air Resources Board has introduced a new monthly column to answer questions from the heavy duty diesel driving community regarding compliance with ARB regulations that affect the trucking industry.

Each month the column will address questions concerning both current and upcoming regulations and will provide answers that we hope are concise and easy to understand. Topics will include the State Heavy Duty Truck and Bus regulation, SmartWay technologies for long haul trucks and trailers, port and drayage truck requirements, and other laws and activities pertaining to diesel engine owners. The first column will feature the most commonly asked questions about the upcoming deadlines for trucks that service the ports.

“This regular feature will offer a great opportunity for truckers to learn not only the details of our trucking regulations, but also the reasons they have been adopted. California leads the nation in its efforts to clean up air quality, and truckers play a vital role in making that happen,” said Tony Brasil, Chief of ARB’s Heavy Duty Diesel In-Use Strategies Branch.

Brasil, an ARB veteran who has traveled the state soliciting stakeholder input on a variety of ARB measures, will pen the column. He enjoys tackling tough questions from the public and will be regularly tapping into the expertise of ARB management and staff to best cover all the topics.

"California Trucking Q & A" can be added to any print or online publication as a syndicated feature. Many readers will be surprised to learn some of the facts regarding ARB diesel regulations, deadlines, compliance options, and financial assistance opportunities. In the future, readers may also have an opportunity to submit their own questions on the “Truckin’
News Q and A” website.

If you have a question you would like to see answered in the “Truckin’ News Q and A” column, email it to CAtruckinqanda@arb.ca.gov.

A listserve will also be available in the first issue to subscribe to the monthly Truckin’ News Q and A.”

EPA to Regulate Green House Gas Emissions

On September 30th the EPA took the first measures to control green house gases from major sources such as power plants, refineries and factories. The new proposal will affect any plant producing at least 25,000 tons of GHG annually and will require the installation of best available technology (BAT) as well as increasing a facility's energy efficiency to decrease total output of emissions.


The EPA estimates large industrial sources are responsible for 70 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, the majority being carbon dioxide resulting from the burning of fossil fuels.

From Lisa P. Jackon, EPA Administrator:

"We have the tools and the technologies to move forward today, and we are using them."

"For the first time ever - the nations's largest sources of greenhouse gases will be required to report their emissions. That new rule will allow us to track approximately 85 percent of total US emissions while only requiring a small percentage of facilities - about 10,000 out of tens of millions of American businesses - to report. We will now know with greater accuracy how much carbon is polluting our atmosphere and where energy efficiency investments and new technologies may be particularly effective at reducing greenhouse gases."

"This is a common-sense measure, strategically tailored to facilities emitting more than 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year. And the results won't just be emissions cuts. It will also promote emerging innovations and accelerate the use of efficient, clean technologies across the entire economy. In short, it allows us to do what the Clean Air Act does best - reduce emissions for better health, drive technology innovation for a better economy, and protect the environment for a better future - all without placing an undue burden on the businesses that make up the better part of our economy."

"We have carefully targeted our efforts to exempt the vast majority of small and medium-sized busineses. We know the corner coffee shop is no place to look for meaningful carbon reductions."